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Share the spaghetti squash love

May 22, 2014 By Ashley 8 Comments

I have some major love for spaghetti squash. It’s incredibly easy to cook, it’s healthy, it’s tasty and you can use it in many different ways.

Yet, I’ve noticed that people either love it or hate it.

If you’ve never tried it before, basically, spaghetti squash is a winter vegetable. It’s an oblong yellow squash, and on the inside are seeds and string-like pieces that look like spaghetti. It’s full of beta carotene, potassium and other nutrients, and it’s low in calories.

Spaghetti squash

After some trials and tribulations, I’ve discovered the two easiest ways to cook said spaghetti squash. (This of course, is after a failed attempt to put my spaghetti squash in a too-small crockpot, as well as an attempt in which I nearly lost a finger when trying to cut it in half before roasting.)

The two easiest ways to cook spaghetti squash

Yes, spaghetti squash cooks faster when cut in half, however it’s pretty hard to cut through safely. So I say, don’t bother. Just rinse it off, poke a few holes in it with a knife or fork, then cook it whole, in one of two ways:

  • Option 1 – in the microwave for 10 minutes, then let it cool for 5 minutes.
  • Option 2 – in the oven for one hour at 375 degrees, then let it cool for 5 minutes.

Once the spaghetti squash is cooked, it will be very easy to cut open. Then you can pull out the seeds, scoop out the noodles and enjoy it any way you’d like.

I like to use spaghetti squash in place of pasta, with marinara sauce and turkey meatballs. However, I don’t get to do that as often as I’d like, because Dave is not interested in spaghetti squash, so we usually stick to whole wheat pasta when dining together. (As you see, he falls into the “hate it” category discussed above.)

But you don’t have to use spaghetti squash as a typical spaghetti, you can also eat it as a side, sprinkled with salt and pepper, or use it as a base for something creative.

There are tons of delicious sounding spaghetti squash dishes around the World Wide Web, and here are a few that interest my taste-buds:

  1. Roasted spaghetti squash and kale via The Pioneer Woman.
  2. Pizza spaghetti squash via Iowa Girl Eats.
  3. Spaghetti squash pad thai via Shared Appetites.

And that’s all I’ve got for you today, folks. After a long day of training for my new job, with quite a bit of studying ahead this evening, I think I better sign off.

Questions of the day

Have you ever tried spaghetti squash?

What’s something new you’ve been eating lately?

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Filed Under: Food, Healthy living Tagged With: healthy recipes, how to cook spaghetti squash

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About Ashley

I'm a writer, trainer, group fitness instructor, new mom and foodie, and A Lady Goes West is where I share my healthy lifestyle, simple meals, fitness tips and experiences living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
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Comments

  1. Katie @Glutes and Ladders says

    May 22, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    I’m in the love camp. When I have it as a side, I like to put a bit of olive oil and Italian seasoning on it.

    Since moving to Australia, I’ve started eating roasted pumpkin all the time. It’s my absolute favorite.
    Katie @Glutes and Ladders recently posted…#Expat LifeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      May 22, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      The question is … do you cook your spaghetti squash whole or risk cutting it? 🙂 I’m glad you share the love.
      Ashley recently posted…Share the spaghetti squash loveMy Profile

      Reply
      • Katie @Glutes and Ladders says

        May 23, 2014 at 1:56 pm

        I risk cutting it (and my fingers). I always try to cut it in half, but it usually ends up being one huge side and one small side.
        Katie @Glutes and Ladders recently posted…The Best Thing I Ate Part 3My Profile

        Reply
  2. Jeremiah Evans says

    May 22, 2014 at 8:22 pm

    I LOVE spaghetti squash! I haven’t eaten it in a while though. I used to cook it all the time. I would cut it in half and place face down on parchment paper in the oven. After cooked, I would scrape the insides out and make a healthy ‘pasta-like’ dish with lean meats, veggies and marinara! NOMNOMNOM!!!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      May 22, 2014 at 9:33 pm

      Hi J!
      Thanks for stopping by the blog. I’m glad you share the love of spaghetti squash. You need to bring it back into your rotation! I had it for dinner tonight, with marinara and turkey meatballs. Delicious! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…Share the spaghetti squash loveMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Cynthia Zarcone says

    July 31, 2014 at 1:58 am

    This is my SS favorite recipe: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/italian-style-spaghetti-squash/

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to make zucchini noodles | A Lady Goes West says:
    July 26, 2014 at 6:53 am

    […] In order to add some more veggies into my life, lately I’ve been eating spaghetti squash in place of pasta. I love the taste and texture, but Dave does not, so he’s stuck with regular whole-wheat pasta. (Spaghetti squash is another great choice, and for a look back, check out my post on the easiest ways to cook spaghetti squash.) […]

    Reply
  2. Must-try veggie pasta tip and my eats - A Lady Goes WestA Lady Goes West says:
    January 21, 2015 at 2:05 am

    […] say I enjoyed this dish even more than spaghetti squash (which says a lot, because I have a major love for spaghetti squash) and definitely more than zucchini noodles made from a spiralizer. And the best part? It’s […]

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Ashley. I started this blog when I moved from Florida to the SF Bay Area, and I love to help you live a balanced life, making sure you never skip a rest day. I'm a mom and fitness instructor, and A Lady Goes West is where I share my workouts, simple meals and wellness tips with you. Find out more about me and stay awhile!

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A Lady Goes West is a personal blog meant for entertainment purposes only and does not serve as a substitute for professional advice from your own doctor, trainer or nutritionist. While I'm a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, the workouts, food and plans I post are what works for me and may not work for you. Please enjoy these stories and tips from my life, but proceed with caution. Also, know that affiliate links and sponsored posts appear from time-to-time, and I appreciate your support. For more information about how your data is stored, visit my Privacy Policy. Thanks for reading!

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